Popular materials are written at a level that can be read and understood by the general population. Popular materials may be written by authors who do not have specific expertise or training in the topic discussed, and the materials are often published quickly.
Scholarly materials are written at an academic level and present the findings of scholarly research. These materials often go through a "peer review process" which validates the author(s) research methods and conclusions. To determine if an item would be considered scholarly, look for the following characteristics:
Length: The article is usually several pages long, and can be more than 20 pages.
Author(s): The article will always list an author or group of authors. Affiliations and credentials are often listed for each.
Audience: The intended audience includes students, researchers, and experts in the field
Refereed: Research is reviewed by peer prior to being accepted for publication
Illustrations: The article may include maps, tables, and graphs the support the text. Colorful photographs are rarely used.
References: The article will always included citations to research discussed throughout the article in the form of footnotes, end notes, and bibliographies.
Language: The article will be written using vocabulary used in the author's field or discipline.
Format: The article will follow a standard format.
Yes: Search an appropriate database by developing a search strategy using relevant keywords or phrases
No: Browse electronic and print periodicals in the library's collection and find an article that you're interested in
Do you have a specific source you need to locate?
Yes: Search an appropriate database using specific fields based on the known information
No: Browse among a variety of materials
Browse for nursing periodicals in the library's print collection:
Come into the library and flip through nursing periodicals and browse for articles on interesting topics. The library subscribes to the following nursing periodicals. The titles marked with an asterisk (*) would be considered scholarly:
American Journal of Nursing*
American Nurse
Journal of Gerontological Nursing*
Nursing*
Ohio Nurses Review
Provider
Browse for electronic nursing journals:
Browse for electronic journals online using the "Electronic Journal Portal":
Pathfinder website: https://waynecollegelibrary.wikispaces.com/Literature+Search
Popular vs. Scholarly
Popular materials are written at a level that can be read and understood by the general population. Popular materials may be written by authors who do not have specific expertise or training in the topic discussed, and the materials are often published quickly.Scholarly materials are written at an academic level and present the findings of scholarly research. These materials often go through a "peer review process" which validates the author(s) research methods and conclusions. To determine if an item would be considered scholarly, look for the following characteristics:
Handout: Distinguishing Scholarly from Non-Scholarly Publications
Read this article:
Guerrieri, R. (2012). What's a peer-reviewed journal?. Nursing, 42(5), 46-49. doi:10.1097/0I.NURSE.O000413612.44307.66
Browsing vs. Searching
Browse for nursing periodicals in the library's print collection:
Come into the library and flip through nursing periodicals and browse for articles on interesting topics. The library subscribes to the following nursing periodicals. The titles marked with an asterisk (*) would be considered scholarly:Browse for electronic nursing journals:
Browse for electronic journals online using the "Electronic Journal Portal":Search for articles using CINAHL
Searching for a specific topic in Nursing? We have several databases available, but you may want to start out searching the CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature) Plus Full Text database.CINAHL Tipsheet
View a tutorial: Locate the CINAHL database
View a tutorial: Performing a Keyword Search in the CINAHL Database
View a tutorial: Retrieve Full Text from the CINAHL Database
View a tutorial: How to Request an Article via Interlibrary Loan
Need help? During the library's normal operating hours you can stop by, call, text message, or chat with the library staff live: